Abstract

GOMEZ, Diana et al. Escherichia coli 0145-.NM isolated from hemolytic uremic syndrome cases. Acta bioquím. clín. latinoam. [online]. 2010, vol.44, n.1, pp.71-74. ISSN 0325-2957.

More than 500 new cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) are annually reported in Argentina. The aim of this work was to carry out epidemiological studies on cases of HUS and their household contacts that were isolated from STEC O145 strains: NM belonging to the same cluster. In order to detect STEC, Multiplex PCR was performed to amplify Shiga toxin 1 and 2 genes and other virulence markers like eae and ehxA. STEC was subtypified by means of separation by pulsed field electrophoresis (PFGE-XbaI). Between January and February 2006, STEC O145:NM strains were identified in three cases of HUS and one household contact. Genotypically, they were characterized as producing stx2, eae+ and ehxA +. All strains showed the same pattern by PFGE-XbaI (AREXSX01.0207) and BlnI-PFGE (AREXSA26.0018). These strains belonged to the same cluster, scattered in different areas of the city of Mar del Plata. Data from epidemiological research were not enough to establish a link between the cases. However, the possibility of occurrence of a diffuse outbreak. is not ruled out The importance of a laboratory surveillance system in real time by PFGE is stressed, as a warning mechanism that serves to strengthen the results with epidemiologic data.

Keywords : Hemolytic uremic syndrome; STEC O145:NM; Diffuse outbreak.

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